APHA Unveils Works to Commemorate 50th Anniversary

To honor its 50th anniversary, the American Paint Horse Association is proud to announce two priceless works that have been commissioned to commemorate the achievements, founding and journey of the association and the breed.

ā€œSustaining the Legacyā€

Joining the unparalleled collection of artwork displayed at APHA headquarters is ā€œSustaining the Legacy,ā€ an original colored-pencil illustration by noted equine artist Suanne Wamsley. The piece was specially commissioned to mark APHA’s 50th anniversary.

Suanne produced the work in her Sunbird Studio in Ruidoso, New Mexico, using her signature photo-realism technique. The original will hang in the APHA headquarters in Fort Worth, and by joining, renewing or extending an APHA membership for five years, you’ll receive a free 8ā€ x 10ā€ fine art print of the original, ready for framing.

ā€œI’m honored to have illustrated this piece to honor APHA’s 50th anniversary,ā€ Suanne said. ā€œAs a longtime APHA member and proud Paint Horse owner, I was inspired to continue the Paint Horse legacy through this piece. It’s a true representation of APHA’s foundation and signals the promise of the breed’s future.ā€

A familiar artist to many Paint Horse fans, Suanne produced the artwork for the 1993 and 2005 APHA World Championship Shows. Her 2005 World Show poster was recently immortalized on the new Equestrian Multi-Purpose Building at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fifty Years: A Golden Beginning

APHA is proud to announce the release of Fifty Years: A Golden Beginning, a book that chronicles the formation, progress and rapid growth of the breed and association.

Fifty Years: A Golden Beginning brings fresh insight from some of APHA’s most influential history-makers. The book was written by APHA Distinguished Service Award Recipient Duke Neff and former APHA Executive Secretary and Paint Horse Journal founder Sam Ed Spence.

No matter your stake in Paint Horses—as a breeder, owner, member or admirer— Fifty Years: A Golden Beginning is a necessity for any equine enthusiast. Readers will relive the association’s founding days and track its wide-reaching development across the globe.

ā€œFifty Years: A Golden Beginning is a great read for any friend of the Paint Horse,ā€ APHA Executive Director Billy Smith said. ā€œIf you’re new to APHA, you’ll find the vivid descriptions and historic recollections fascinating; if you’re a longtime APHA supporter, you’ll love this reflection of the breed’s past.ā€

Published by Donning Publishing, Fifty Years: A Golden Beginning is available exclusively through the APHA General Store and retails for $40. To order, visit store.apha.com or call (877) 460-6275.

Both ā€œSustaining the Legacyā€ and Fifty Years: A Golden Beginning are available through the APHA General Store at store.apha.com.


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